Why Are People Obsessed with Follower Numbers?
When checking follower counts becomes an obsession
Being Followed - by Mark Ewbie
Hey there friend!
I say friend, I don’t know who you are. It’s just a word we throw around casually as we play the social media game.
If you actually are an official friend then cool.
But I’m not here to do the friend thing. I’m here to talk about people’s obsession with follower counts.
I say friend, I don’t know who you are. It’s just a word we throw around casually as we play the social media game.
If you actually are an official friend then cool.
But I’m not here to do the friend thing. I’m here to talk about people’s obsession with follower counts.
It’s only a number. That’s what old people say about their age, when they’re really old. But people with massive follower counts don’t say it like that.
They say “Look at my massive follower count”. Even if they don’t say those exact words, acting all self-effacing like, it’s right there on their profile. They come along, drop a hello or something and wave their massive number in your face.
It’s no big deal matey. Means nothing to me. I am immune to your measure of popularity. I prefer to judge people by the content of their character, not the numbers (or letters) they have after their name.
They say “Look at my massive follower count”. Even if they don’t say those exact words, acting all self-effacing like, it’s right there on their profile. They come along, drop a hello or something and wave their massive number in your face.
It’s no big deal matey. Means nothing to me. I am immune to your measure of popularity. I prefer to judge people by the content of their character, not the numbers (or letters) they have after their name.
Some observant people — don’t you just hate them? — may point out I have written a number of excellent posts recently about followers. OK, I briefly succumbed to the idea they were important, especially as I neared, equalled and surpassed FIVE HUNDRED for the first, second and third time.
That was then and this is now.
I realised my dangerous obsession and sought help. Got an appointment with one of the UK’s finest free doctors. “What seems to be the problem?” she said. God these guys are good. I explained the follower problem. She didn’t seem to understand the importance of it. I explained more and then my five minutes was up. Choice of aspirin or a mental health referral. I took the aspirin.
Went home and noticed, in an absent-minded disinterested way, that my follower count had gone down. Told myself to stop it. Get a grip. Get a life. Just say no. Build back better.
That was then and this is now.
I realised my dangerous obsession and sought help. Got an appointment with one of the UK’s finest free doctors. “What seems to be the problem?” she said. God these guys are good. I explained the follower problem. She didn’t seem to understand the importance of it. I explained more and then my five minutes was up. Choice of aspirin or a mental health referral. I took the aspirin.
Went home and noticed, in an absent-minded disinterested way, that my follower count had gone down. Told myself to stop it. Get a grip. Get a life. Just say no. Build back better.
Now I look at these people with their massive counts and I pity them. They are trapped in the social media vortex — a vortex I tell you although that may not be the right word. Sod it, none of my followers read this stuff anyway.
And that’s another thing.
People get obsessed about all kinds of stuff. A lot of which I have written about. Money, earnings, views, reads — my God guys, give it a rest!
And that’s another thing.
People get obsessed about all kinds of stuff. A lot of which I have written about. Money, earnings, views, reads — my God guys, give it a rest!
My therapist said I should probably ease off writing about subjects that irritate me. Switch my focus to other things. Green grass, brown earth, soft wind. Says I should learn to self-soothe. Says most people couldn’t give a crap about follower numbers.
Momentarily I feel better. Put my clothes back on, pay the five hundred dollars and depart. It’s modern therapy, no need to dwell.
But when I return home my computer is waiting. “Turn me on big boy” it says. That’s just imagery like writer’s do. If it wasn’t turned on it couldn’t say it.
Can I turn it on and ignore the follower number in the right hand corner? I could put a sticky label over it but when you scroll you can see it.
Momentarily I feel better. Put my clothes back on, pay the five hundred dollars and depart. It’s modern therapy, no need to dwell.
But when I return home my computer is waiting. “Turn me on big boy” it says. That’s just imagery like writer’s do. If it wasn’t turned on it couldn’t say it.
Can I turn it on and ignore the follower number in the right hand corner? I could put a sticky label over it but when you scroll you can see it.
No matter! I am made of strong stuff these days. No more chasing the dragon, if the dragon is a number on a screen rather than anything more exciting or interesting.
I am free of my obsession. And free to criticise those who still care.
It’s only a number.
Update: 500. Read it and weep.
I am free of my obsession. And free to criticise those who still care.
It’s only a number.
Update: 500. Read it and weep.